Small Slump Not Deterring Talented Tribe

April 20, 2014 - International League (IL) Indianapolis Indians The Indianapolis Indians are seeking the franchise's first back-to-back-to-back International League (IL) West Division championships and just the second three-peat title in team history. A tall order at first glance, but with 11 wins in their first 16 games, claiming a spot in the record books may not be such a pipe dream.

Indians broadcaster Will Flemming, who has helped call each of the Tribe's IL West titles from 2012-13, said this year's Tribe squad is one of the best he's ever seen.

And there's already a track record to prove it.

"It's always impressive to get off to a good start on the road," Flemming said after the Indians swept Columbus at Huntington Park and won two of three in Toledo. "Just look at the roster, the talent level is higher than that of the other teams in our division."

From an up-and-coming power-hitting prospect Andrew Lambo, to long-time team veterans Matt Hague and Chase d'Arnaud, Indianapolis never faces the issue of fielding a strong lineup. Rather, the challenge is finding a way to get everyone on the field.

"That doesn't happen by accident," Flemming said.

The Indians broadcaster attributed this continuous influx of talent to the front office personnel of the team's parent club, the Pittsburgh Pirates. While the Major League Bucs have enjoyed a high level of success in the National League's Central Division, the Pirates franchise has also maintained competitive rosters throughout the levels of their minor league system.

And the Indians are a prime example.

During the 2013-14 offseason, Pittsburgh made key acquisitions that have helped bolster their Triple-A affiliate's lineup, including outfielder Chris Dickerson and infielders Chris McGuiness and Brent Morel. Each of the three veterans boast major league experience and remain on-call for a return to the Bigs, but in the meantime have combined to score 26 runs with 20 RBI.

"You can't say enough about those three players," Flemming said. "Day in and day out they just keep coming up with big hits and driving in important runs for this first-place [Indians] team."

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Small Slump Not Deterring Talented Tribe